School Spirits

When I saw this cover for the first time I went like: Awesome! Want NOW! And the synopsis makes it even more amazing! I loved Hex Hall and I can't wait to read this one! I love the two sides of this cover, and the flames make it even better!

Synopsis from Goodreads: Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

This was the first ebook I've ever read. I was a bit skeptical at first. I was afraid it wouldn't feel as holding an actual book. I had to get used to it, but I couldn't have started with a better book! This is a couple of months back, even before I started blogging. So that's why I never wrote a review. When I was picking the books for my 200 followers giveaway I noticed that and thought it was time to change that!For some books it's really hard to write a review after such a long time, but this book stayed with me! It's so amazing! Especially the world setting. It's a beautiful combination of the past and the future. Aria, who lives in the virtual realms has always been afraid of the outsiders, or she's said to be afraid So when she's put into the wild for a crime she didn't commit she's terrified and certain her death will come soon. That's where we meet Perry. He's an outsider and he can't stand Aria. But for her to be able to survive he has to help her and he feels obliged to. At first Aria is naive and she believes anything, especially the things her 'people' told her, but throughout the story she grows to stand on her own feet and to think for herself. I liked Aria at the beginning of the story and I understood where her naivety came from, but I loved her at the end. She really becomes a kick ass kinda girl and I can't wait how she'll turn out in the second installment. The story is told from two perspectives, alternating chapters, Perry's and Aria's. I'm not always a fan of multiple perspectives, but here they worked. Through Aria you learned more about her world and through Perry about his. And you get to know two sides of both: as they see themselves and how the other sees them. This was fascinating. There were so many amazing things about this book, it's almost impossible to write them all down. I was most intrigued by the gifts of the outsiders. Some people were 'marked' and they were gifted with enhanced senses. Perry is a Seer and a Scire, so he can see really well and smell emotions and tempers. It made the relationship between him and Aria different than others. The part where Aria realizes Perry can smell her emotions is so funny!Definitely a book I would recommend and I can't wait to read Through the Ever Night!

I always get really excited when I see a beautiful cover, especially when the book isn't published yet. It makes the waiting a little bit better!

Dare You To

Title: Dare You To

Author: Katie McGarry

Expected publication: May 28th,2013 (HarlequinTeen)

Series: Pushing the Limits #2

Pushing the Limits was one of the first contemporaries I really enjoyed reading and made me a huge fan of the genre. It's even one of my favorite reads this year! So of course I'll read Dare You To! I may or may not have screamed a bit when I saw the cover was revealed. Not because I like it that much (I do, but I like the one of Pushing the Limits better), but mostly because it's one step closer to publication day!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I had the most amazing week and the most awesome part was meeting Tahereh Mafi! Yes, you heard right: I'VE MET TAHEREH MAFI AND SHE'S AMAZING! Most of you guys have a whole list with awesome authors you've met. But unfortunately living in The Netherlands means rarely meeting your favorite authors. Luckily, the most awesome publishing house in The Netherlands, BLOSSOM BOOKS, made it happen that Tahereh Mafi came to the Netherlands and arranged two Meet & Greets. I was part of the first one in Voorburg in the Children's Bookstore In de Wolken (translated: In The Clouds). A really cosy bookshop and it was the perfect setting for this M&G.

Tahereh Mafi and Me!

If you've met Tahereh Mafi you know that she's an extraordinary person! She's so sweet, funny and smart! If you ask her a question (any question) she will talk for at least ten minutes straight! She has so much to say, and she's so interesting! And it's so cool to hear an author talk about their books! It's like Shatter Me has a whole new dimension now! Myrthe, the editor of Blossom Books, is the one who arranged for Tahereh to come here! She made the Meet & Greet even more perfect with all the "Vrees Me" cupcakes, cakepops and macarons, yum!

Photo from Blossombooks.nl

You would think the awesomeness would stop here, but no! You will probably know Destroy Me (or "Verwoest Me"), and that it's published as an enovella. Well, we Dutchies can be cool sometimes, because here it's published in hardcover! Just like Shatter Me (or "Vrees Me" in Dutch) and they look so pretty together! I got Shatter Me as a present after finishing my internship at Blossom Books (which is an imprint of Kluitman) and all my colleagues wrote something in it. And now I have Destroy Me, which is signed by Tahereh!

So a huge thank you to Tahereh for coming here and letting us meet her and answer all our questions. You're truly amazing!

And also a HUGE thank you to Myrthe, for arranging for Tahereh Mafi to come here and have this Meet & Greet with us, and of course for the delicious food! You rock!

Ula from Blog of Erisedis hosting the Dystopia Reading Challenge 2013. I'm looking for some awesome reading challenges for next year and this sounds really cool! I love dystopian novels/series! There are different levels and I'll definitely be going for level 4: Leader! The ultimate goal is 24 books!

Levels

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)

Level 2: Rebel (7 to 12 books)

Level 3: Revolutionist (13 to 18 books)

Level 4: Leader (19+ books)

Each time you reach a new level, you will receive a badge.

Click here to check out the rules and sign up for this challenge. I can't wait until January to get started on this! It's time to start picking the books. I'll keep you posted!

The 2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge is hosted byMegan Likes Booksand Auntie Spinelli Reads. I love taking part in the Fall Into Reading 2012 reading challenge, so I'm looking for some awesome reading challenges for next year. I'm a big fan of paranormal books, so of course I want to take part in this challenge! For all of the details and to sign up, just click on the button above!

The goal is to read one book featuring each of the following paranormal creatures. Each month one of the creatures will be featured:

January: Vampires

February: Angels/Nephilim

March: Fey

April: Demons

May: Aliens

June: Zombies

July: Witches and Wizards

August: Mermaids

September: Dragons

October: Ghosts

November: Werewolves/Shifters

December: Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)

I haven't decided yet what books I'll read for this challenge. I have December to think about what Vampire book I'll read! If you have a recommendation please leave them in the comments!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is
a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases
that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on

Vortex by Julie Cross

Title: Vortex

Author: Julie Cross

Series: Tempest #2

Will be published on: January 15th,
2013 (St. Martin's Griffin)

Synopsis from Goodreads: Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

I love books about time traveling and Tempest belongs definitely in my Top Three in this topic! So if the amazingness of Tempest wasn't enough to have me waiting on this book, the major cliffhanger would be!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday has another topic and different bloggers give their top ten. I love making lists, so here's mine for this week!

This week topic is

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books For 2013

My wish list for 2013 is already pretty long, so it wasn't easy making this Top Ten! I can't believe 2012 is almost over already. And it brought some amazing books! But I can't wait to read all the awesome books 2013 will bring!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey. This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well. You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads: Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

*I've tried to keep this review spoiler free for those who haven't read Shatter Me yet. There might me slight spoilers, so if you haven't read Shatter Me yet and you don't want any spoilers at all you might want to skip this review*

Destroy Me begins where we last saw Warner in Shatter Me. He got shot and his team is at a loss. He's brought home to be nursed back to health. He's convinced he can fix his mistakes, but his father isn't so sure and comes over to watch Warner and to show him how it's really done. And yes, he really is a horrible man. He's so mean and he treats Warner as a little child. So we get to see a whole other side of Warner. Tahereh Mafi really has an amazing writing style. She knows her characters. Destroy Me couldn't have been more different from Shatter Me! And that's how you get to know Warner! Not through the things he says, or the things said to him, but through the writing style! I was jumping up and down with excitement while reading this book. It's amazing!The most special thing about this book is that we get to see Juliette through Warner's eyes. If you have been wondering what she wrote down in her notebook (I have!) you get a peek through Warner when he finds her notebook and reads it. In Shatter Me he claims he needs and loves her, in Destroy Me I almost began to believe him. I just couldn't let go of all the horrible things he's done. I first read Unravel Me before reading this book and I don't recommend that order! It's definitely a book you want to read before the second installment in the series, because it makes Unravel Me so much more intense.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Bloggers share what new books (physical or virtual) they got this week. I like getting new books and showing them. So here's my haul for this week!

Friday, November 23, 2012

On Septembe 22nd I started my first reading challenge: Fall Into Reading 2012 hosted by Callapidder Days! I love this challenge, but next time I'm setting different goals, because the one I have now isn't that effective for me. I just keep reading other books that weren't on the original list. I already updated my list once and it will change a couple more times I think. Looking at my TBR pile I woulnd't say it's any lower at the moment.

When I started this challenge I was really enthusiastic! And I still am, but also a bit more realistic. Reading 36 books in three months is possible, but really hard. I've read 18 books so far. Which is pretty good for me, considering I had a major reading slump. But that means I still have 18 to go in less than a month and since I also found a job again I'm not going to make that. So I decided to make a to-read list for the upcoming month of 10 books.

Essentially, Fall Into Reading 2012 is a fun, low-pressure reading challenge. It's still possible to join! In the sidebar you'll find the link by clicking on the image under "reading challenges". One month to go in this reading challenge!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, "especially" her.

I had Hex Hall on my wish list for such a long time! I love books about witches and this sounded like something I would really enjoy. And I totally did! If your a witch book lover like me you'll love Hex Hall. Rachel Hawkins has an awesome writing style. At the beginning of the story you meet Sophie. She's a witch for three years now and she tries to stay in this school instead of transferring for the umptieth time. But during prom a sweet girl is sad because she doesn't have a date and Sophie tries to fix it for her. Only her spell backfires and she's transferred again. This time to Hecate Hall. A school for troubled witches, fairies, shapeshifters, werewolves and even a vampire. I loved Sophie! She such an amazing kick ass girl! But not in the "look at me I have amazing powers" kinda way. The very first thing she does when she arrives at Hecate Hall is being attacked by a werewolves and instead of defending herself with her powers she calls him "bad dog". This book made me laugh out loud more than once! And Rachel Hawkins introduced me to my new book crush!Meet Archer Cross. Handsome, warlock and taken by the most popular girl in the school. Sophie doesn't only manage to like him, but to also piss off the three most popular girls in the school. Which gets her into detention with, yes, Archer Cross. I would want him as a book boyfriend! Even thought he's not as good as he seems. The story doesn't only contain a hot guy and cool jokes, it's also quite serious. Jenna, vampire and Sophie's roommate, lost her old roommate a couple of months ago. She was found murdered, drained from all her blood. Everyone suspects Jenna, but she keeps saying she didn't do it. And again people are being attacked. Sophie tries to prove Jenna is innocent, but no one wants to believe her. I didn't saw the ending coming of Hex Hall! Sophie learns a lot about herself and how she became such a powerful witch. I want to read Demonglass!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Override by Heather Anastasiu

Title: Override

Author: Heather AnastatiuSeries: Glitch #2

Will be published on: February 12th, 2013 (St. Martin's Griffin)

Synopsis from Goodreads: Zoe never wanted to be a leader. She just wanted to be free. After escaping the Community and getting her friends away from Chancellor Bright’s control, she thinks everything will get better. She and Adrien can finally be together. She’s safe at the Foundation and is training with a team of other glichers to become a freedom fighter in the Resistance.

But while Zoe is free, she’s far from safe. Adrien is tortured by visions of the future that he refuses to share with her. And there’s something’s wrong with Zoe’s telekinesis. The control she gained when she escaped the Community seems completely gone, and her power is expanding in unexpected and terrifying ways. Everyone is counting on her to be the key to defeating the Chancellor, but Zoe is terrified she’s too weak to save anyone.

As the Chancellor begins enacting her plan to move up the ranks of the government and gain an ever-widening noose of control, the future of Resistance grows more and more precarious every day. Others around Zoe are becoming desperate in their attempts to survive, until finally distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation itself. In the end, Zoe will have to make a choice: will she stand up as the leader Adrien foretold her to be, or will she fail everyone in the moment they need her most?

Glitch is one of my favorite books I've read in 2012. I have to make my top ten, but I have a suspicion it's going to be on it! So, of course, I can't wait to read Override! The ending of Glitch was a total cliffhanger and I want to know how it continues!What are you waiting on?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey. This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well. You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!Last week was hectic! I got a job! After a very long time without a real job (an internship doesn't earn that much money), I'm finally able to buy all the books in the world again! I've been pretty busy last week, so I only managed to finish one book, but I have to see Die For Me is amazing so far!Finished last week:

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

I've read this book a while ago, before I even started blogging. So when I was picking out the books for my 200 followers giveaway I noticed I've never written a review! I love this book so much I thought why not now? Shatter Me is translated in Dutch by Blossom Books, an awesome Publishing House where I had my internship for the past couple of months! So I was part of the editing process of this book and it was totally awesome. I learned a lot! Shatter Me is pretty hard to edit since it has such an unique writing style. It's something you have to get used to. Tahereh Mafi uses 'train of thought' quite literary. Phrases are crossed out, sometimes there are no commas or dots and words are repeated over and over again. It takes a few pages to get into it, but I promise you after that you'll love it! By now I've also read Destroy Me and Unravel Me and with all three I jumped up and down in my chair with all the love I have for these books! They're amazing!This isn't the first Dystopian I've read, but it is one of the best! The world setting is actually inside Juliette's head. Everything you read is in her head. Even more so than in other books. (If this doesn't make sense, it will when you read the book!) It's really hard to explain (believe me I've tried about thirty phrases, but it all comes out wrong). Juliette hasn't seen the outside world for a year, so she explains how it was before that, and when she does see it, it's even more damaged. Seriously, Tahereh Mafi has a gift. I can't even begin to explain how she puts it! You just have to read the book!One thing I can explain is how beautiful this cover is! I've read both the English and Dutch version. The English with the original cover and the Dutch with this one. While we were editing the Dutch one this paperback cover got released. My first reaction was not completely positive. But after seeing it a couple of times I got used to it and started to really love it! Especially when you see it next to the covers of Destroy Me and Unravel Me it's just so pretty!And there so much more to it than you see the first time! In the story Juliette mentions a bird a couple of times. If you look closer to the pupil, you see there's a bird there! Beautiful detail!I think I've never written a review that was so all over the place (well, it feels that way for me). I hope it makes sense anyway. I absolutely recommend Shatter Me!

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About Me

Hi, I'm Helene, a 24 year old girl living in The Netherlands. My current passion is Social Media, but I also love to read and living a healthy lifestyle, which includes lots of veggies and working out! I am a big fan of Blogilates and running. My latest obsessions include: Pinterest and green smoothies.